Generic motor abilities and anthropometrics are poorly related to futsal-specific agility performance; multiple regression analysis in professional players

Study aim: This study aimed to evaluate predictors of futsal-specific change-of-direction speed and futsal-specific reactive agility in professional male futsal players.

Material and methods: The players (n=75) studied were members of seven futsal teams that competed at the highest national level in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The predictors in this study included measures of generic power, speed, agility, and anthropometrics. The univariate and multivariate relationships among the predictors and the criteria (futsal-specific change-of-direction speed and futsal-specific reactive agility) were assessed by using Pearson’s correlations and multiple regression analysis, respectively.

Results: The predictors were poorly related to the different facets of agility (all trivial to moderate correlations). Multiple regression models were not successfully cross-validated for any of the types of agility performance.

Conclusion: Generic power, speed, agility, and anthropometrics are not valid predictors of futsal-specific change-of-direction speed and futsal-specific reactive agility. As these futsal performances were used to mimic real-game situations in futsal, these findings suggest that superiority in generic motor abilities and anthropometrics may not have a significant effect on performance in futsal matches.